Russell Athletic Launches All New Women's Apparel Line

Bowling Green, KY (April 4, 2012) - Russell Brands, LLC, today announced the launch of the Russell Athletic® brand’s new women’s apparel line in conjunction with a refreshed e-commerce site (russellathletic.com/womens) and contemporized logo. With 18 styles available at launch, ranging from performance fleece and hoodies to active skorts and capris, the new line and ecommerce platform ensures there’s something to suit active women everywhere.

“Russell Athletic has a rich history of providing comfortable and affordable sports performance wear for both professional and amateur athletes,” said Sarah Gholston, vice president, design and merchandising. ”People are busy, and we recognize the importance and the challenge for women today to balance fitness with their daily life. These clothes are made to fit you and your schedule, taking you from the carpool line to the gym, or wherever else the day may take you.”

The line, designed by women for women, was inspired by the quintessential mom-on-the-go. Gholston said she and her design team constructed each piece in the new line with the needs of today’s modern, busy consumer in mind.

“We know that when women look good, they feel good,” she said. “Each piece in this line was created to do just that – elongating lines where they matter, flattering silhouettes, bright colors. When you combine all these elements into very functional pieces, you create what we think is the perfect go-to collection for every woman, regardless of whether she needs to run to soccer practice or run a 5k.”

Paying close attention to the details women say matter most, the collection was crafted with special attention to design. The exclusive Mid-Support Racerback Tank was developed in partnership with Vanity Fair Brands, a leading intimate apparel company, to provide the ultimate combination of comfort, support and performance as well as a fit unlike any other found in the marketplace today. Other product features in the full line include cotton with performance benefits, a not-too-tight but not-too loose tailored fit and Dri-Power® moisture-wicking technology.

For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic, a division of Russell Brands, LLC, has supplied America’s athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of team uniforms at the high school, college and professional levels. Russell Athletic’s collegiate licensed products and athletic wear are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains and college bookstores. For more information, please visit www.RussellAthletic.com.

Bowling Green, KY (May 31, 2012) - The West Coast reigns supreme as the most active region in the country, according to new results from the Dri-Power 360™ Healthiest Habitats study released today by Russell Brands, LLC. Fielded by Sperling's BestPlaces, the study analyzed major metro areas in the United States to determine whose residents are living the most active and healthiest lifestyles.

The Northern California Bay Area, encompassing San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland, topped the list as the most active area in the country. This Northern California region earned the number one spot with high scores for healthy eating, body mass index, regular exercise routines of its residents and number of hiking and running trails within city limits. Interestingly, the area only has an average number of gyms and fitness centers, meaning these physically fit West Coasters get a significant amount of their exercise while also enjoying the California outdoors.

“As not only a sports brand, but also an active lifestyle and fitness brand, we were delighted to see the results of this inaugural study,” said Gary Barfield, executive vice president of Russell. “As a brand that is focused on providing high-quality, affordable athletic wear, we are well aware of the importance and benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, and applaud residents of each of these cities for the wide range of activities their residents participate in to achieve their personal fitness goals.”

Rankings - Top 15 Healthiest Habitats

San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland, CA

Seattle-Tacoma, WA

Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA

San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA

Boston-Cambridge, MA

Los Angeles-Orange County, CA

Honolulu, HI

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Denver-Aurora, CO

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, CA

New York, Newark, Long Island, NY

Salt Lake City, UT

Hartford, West Hartford-East Hartford CT

Tampa-St. Petersburg, Clearwater, FL

While the Northern California Bay Area took the top spot, Seattle-Tacoma, WA, Portland-Beaverton, OR, San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA and Boston round out the top 5 in the study. These major metropolises exemplify active living, with all ranking high as bicycle-friendly cities and boasting an abundance of hiking and running trails.

To determine which U.S. metropolises featured the buffest bods, most cardio-crazy residents, and health-conscious eaters, the study surveyed and measured a number of factors directly correlated with an active, healthy lifestyle. Study criteria included:

Gyms and athletic clubs (per capita)

Hiking and running trails (per capita)

Retail fitness establishments (per capita)

Percent of workers commuting by walking or bicycling

Bicycling infrastructure (miles of bikeways, other initiatives)

Percent of population getting daily exercise

Body mass index of population

Healthy eating – servings of fruits, vegetables

“While the Pacific Northwest demonstrated the most active lifestyle, one point the Healthiest Habitats study highlighted is that across all major metropolitan areas, there are ample means for residents to get out and get fit,” said Bert Sperling, president of Sperling's BestPlaces. “Be it participating in outdoor activities, belonging to health clubs or the presence of fitness retailers providing resources and equipment, cities across the country are helping their residents stay active and in shape.”

Findings at a Glance

Portland (ranked #2) is widely recognized as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the United States, and the study showed just that with the largest percentage of its workforce commuting each day by bike

It may surprise some, but according to the Healthiest Habitats study, car-centric Los Angeles (ranked #6) has the highest concentration of hiking and running trails in and around the city

Minneapolis (ranked #10) cracked the top ten with the highest score in the study of residents getting regular exercise

The West wins with 71.8% of study respondents from this region getting exercise, compared with 64.1% of Northeasterners getting physically fit

San Diego (ranked #4) has the most retail fitness stores per capita, but like San Francisco the number of local gyms and fitness centers is slightly below average while its scores for commuting by bike or walking, and its bicycling infrastructure are well above average

For all the cities working hard at keeping healthy, Russell recently developed the Russell Athletic® DriPower 360™ line, the brand’s latest advancement in serious performance, with a softer side. This cutting-edge product for both men and women is made with a special cotton blend that has advanced moisture-wicking technology to helps keep people cool and dry from top to bottom.

About RUSSELL ATHLETIC®

For more than 100 years, Russell Brands, LLC, has supplied America’s athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of apparel and team uniforms at the high school, college and professional levels. Russell’s collegiate licensed products and athletic wear are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains and college bookstores. For more information, please visit www.RussellAthletic.com.

Kentucky natives to wear new Dri-Power® performance line during PGA Tour competitions.

BOWLING GREEN, KY (Jan. 26, 2012) – Russell Athletic Brands, LLC, today announced professional golfers Kenny Perry and Josh Teater will serve as golf ambassadors for the Russell Athletic® brand. Both Kentucky natives, Perry and Teater will wear apparel from the Russell Athletic Dri-Power® performance line, which incorporates moisture transfer properties that help keep the athlete’s skin drier and more comfortable, on the PGA Tour this season. They will also utilize the full line of Russell Athletic® apparel in their off-course training and fitness routines.

“We’re extremely excited to have two of the world’s best golfers join our family at Russell Athletic,” said Gary Barfield, executive vice president, Russell Brands, LLC. “Both are professionals on and off the golf course. We are proud to have Kenny and Josh wear the Russell Athletic ‘R’ in 2012.”

Perry is entering his 26th consecutive year as a member of the PGA Tour, where he has earned 14 wins and is 9th on the all-time money list. He was also ranked in the top-10 on the Official World Golf Rankings for more than 100 weeks from 2003–2005 and 2009-2010 and finished tied for second at the 2009 Masters Tournament. In 2009 Perry was honored with the Payne Stewart Award, which is given by the PGA to “a player who shows respect for the traditions of the game, commitment to uphold the game's heritage of charitable support and professional and meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct.”

“I’m proud to be wearing Russell Athletic, a brand with a great history and a fantastic line of performance products,” said Perry. “As I’ve learned over the years, when you feel good on the course, chances are you’re going to play better. I’m looking forward to having a successful 2012 season in Russell.”

Josh Teater is entering his 11th year as a professional golfer and third full season on the PGA Tour. He earned his first professional victory on the Nationwide Tour at the 2009 Utah Championship.

“I’m excited to be wearing Russell Athletic this season. The fit and feel of the apparel is great,” said Teater. “To be one of the brand’s first golf ambassadors is an honor and I’m looking forward to a successful partnership in 2012.”

For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic, a division of Russell Brands, LLC, has supplied America’s athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of team uniforms at the high school, college and professional levels. Russell Athletic’s active wear and collegiate licensed products are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains and college bookstores. For more information, please visit www.RussellAthletic.com.